Yakusugi (屋久杉)
is a Japanese cedar that grows on the mountain 500 metres above sea level. The term "Yakusugi" refers to trees that are more than 1,000 years old. Those less than 1,000 years are called "kosugi." (lit. small Japanese cedar)’. The Japanese cedars in Yakushima may also be referred to as "jisugi" (literally: "locally grown cedars")’, but this also encompasses the kosugi, and is a regional dialect.

In Shonai town, in the Meiji period there was a 巨杉 huge cedar tree between the waterfall and the 不動堂 Fudo Hall, but during a strike of lightning it burned down. In its ashes there where almost two buckets full of white bones. The local gossip says these were the bones of a dragon who had lived below the tree.

Legend from Shiga, Minakuchi Behind Shrine 八坂神社 Yasaka Jinja is the Ryuu-ga-mori 竜ヶ森 Dragon Forest. There stood a huge sugi 杉 cedar tree which 6 people could hardly cover with their arms around it. A dragon lived in this tree. The tree was hit twice by lighting, and at the second time, the Dragon went back to heaven.This special tree broke down during the Isewan Typhoon.Nearby is a Ryuu-ga-ido 竜ヶ井戸 "Dragon Well" which is used for amagoi 雨乞い rain prayers..